Hamilton Backs Antonelli Amid Struggles; Rosberg Calls for 2026 Contract

Lewis Hamilton has come to the defense of his young teammate, Kimi Antonelli, following a challenging period in the Italian driver’s debut season with Mercedes in Formula 1. Despite a promising start, Antonelli’s recent performances have raised concerns, but Hamilton insists the 18-year-old has been doing “fantastically.”

Antonelli, who will turn 19 in August, made headlines earlier in the season with impressive finishes, including five top-six results in his first six races. However, his form has dipped significantly, with points scored in only one of the last seven races. The young driver showcased his talent by achieving his first podium in Canada in June, but his confidence waned following a series of errors, most notably during the Belgian Grand Prix, where he finished in 16th place.

Hamilton acknowledged the pressures Antonelli faces, stating, “I can’t imagine what it’s like at 18 to do what he’s doing. I think he’s been doing fantastically.” He emphasized the challenges of entering Formula 1 at such a young age, highlighting that Antonelli did not even have a driver’s license when he began racing in the sport.

Team Dynamics and Performance Challenges

Antonelli’s struggles are not solely personal; they mirror a broader decline in performance for the Mercedes team. George Russell, Antonelli’s teammate, has also experienced difficulties, failing to finish in the top four in his last three races since his victory in Canada. Andrew Shovlin, head of trackside engineering, pointed out that the upgrades introduced to the car have not delivered the expected improvements, which disproportionately affects Antonelli, who lacks the experience to navigate the challenges presented by a difficult car.

Shovlin remarked, “What you’ve seen in the recent qualifying is that George is leaning on his many years of experience in an F1 car. Kimi hasn’t got that to drop back on, and that’s probably why you’ve seen a bit of a shift in his results recently.” He stressed the importance of addressing the issues with the car, stating, “There’s still a long way to go this year.”

Despite the difficulties, Shovlin remains optimistic about Antonelli’s potential, noting that the young driver is on a steep learning curve. He explained that while Antonelli’s early season performances were impressive, the current car’s competitiveness is a factor in his recent decline. “We’ve seen enough from Kimi to know that there’s a great deal of talent there,” Shovlin added.

Calls for Contract Stability

Former world champion Nico Rosberg has weighed in on Antonelli’s situation, suggesting that uncertainty about the young driver’s future could be affecting his performance. Rosberg believes Mercedes should confirm Antonelli’s contract for the 2026 season to provide him with stability and confidence. This comes amid ongoing speculation regarding the team’s interest in signing Max Verstappen, though many expect the reigning champion to remain with Red Bull.

Rosberg stated, “The team needs to support him as much as possible. Why not even just already confirm his contract also for next year? Worst case is it goes really wrong, you can always still get out of it.” He praised Antonelli as a “generational talent,” comparing his potential to that of Verstappen and Hamilton.

The former driver noted the mental challenges faced by young athletes, particularly when they experience setbacks. “When you start having a little bit of a spiral, with a few too many mistakes, that starts to spiral a bit negatively,” Rosberg observed. “It’s a really difficult situation and tough to watch.”

As the Formula 1 calendar moves to the Hungarian Grand Prix, the Mercedes team faces crucial challenges. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Antonelli can regain his earlier form and if the team can resolve its ongoing performance issues. The race is set to take place as the sport heads into a summer break, marking a pivotal moment for both the driver and the team.